Exam sessions can be a very tough time for everybody. It doesnt matter what age you are or what school you go to.
University students get stressed just as much as kids from secondary schools, as test anxiety is a natural reaction of your body. But when does it become a problem?
When the stress and anxiety affect the studying performance as well as grades at school it means it is something more.
How can we help our children get through this hard time? And what kind of methods can we try to fight the stressful emotions?
Here are 6 tips on how to help your kids deal with test anxiety:
Make sure your child starts studying a few days (or weeks) in advance to eliminate the risk of studying the night before. Help them organize the materials needed for the exam and create a schedule for studying. Talk about the studying process and help them review the class material.
Sooner or later the tension is going to show up. Tell them that they should stop for a little while after a few hours of studying.
After they receive the exam papers, tell them to close their eyes, breathe deeply and relax their muscles.
Additionally, educate them about exam rules. These are some great tips:
So focus on things they do know. Remind your child how hard theyve worked, and theyre simply doing their best. Say it to your child to boost their confidence. Focus on the positive and not the negative.
When you help your child during test preparation, make sure they get adequate sleep. They will be more productive the next day. A good eight hours of night sleep is a must, especially on a night before an exam.
To reduce stress, give your child lots of fruits, vegetables, water or even green tea. Try to give them healthy food options with regular breaks between meals.
Forget about processed food, as it can increase anxiety and stress.
Dont forget to start their day with a nutritious breakfast, like cereals with fruit.
Mostly, the best thing you can give your child is support. If you know that your child is a stressed little human being, then just be with them. Help them organize their time with studying, review the material, be encouraging and dont forget that saying good words can help calm them down.
Your child will find it very helpful that there is someone supportive next to them; this will reduce their level of anxiety.
If the above points do not work, and the situation gets to a point where it is difficult to talk to your child, you can even arrange counseling services for your child.
University students get stressed just as much as kids from secondary schools, as test anxiety is a natural reaction of your body. But when does it become a problem?
When the stress and anxiety affect the studying performance as well as grades at school it means it is something more.
How can we help our children get through this hard time? And what kind of methods can we try to fight the stressful emotions?
Here are 6 tips on how to help your kids deal with test anxiety:
- Prepare in advance
Make sure your child starts studying a few days (or weeks) in advance to eliminate the risk of studying the night before. Help them organize the materials needed for the exam and create a schedule for studying. Talk about the studying process and help them review the class material.
- Educate your child
Sooner or later the tension is going to show up. Tell them that they should stop for a little while after a few hours of studying.
After they receive the exam papers, tell them to close their eyes, breathe deeply and relax their muscles.
Additionally, educate them about exam rules. These are some great tips:
- Target the highest point questions. When they see that they are moving towards a big score with every answer, it will boost their confidence.
- Do not go fast and to take as much time needed for answering the test questions.
- Go to another question if they dont know the answers. Choose the questions they can easily answer first.
- Eliminate negative thinking
So focus on things they do know. Remind your child how hard theyve worked, and theyre simply doing their best. Say it to your child to boost their confidence. Focus on the positive and not the negative.
- Use relaxation techniques
- Go for a walk. It will refresh minds and give extra energy while calming down.
- Take a series of 10 deep breaths while studying with eyes closed.
- Practice yoga a few times per week; it will release physical and mental tension.
- Stretch and tone the muscles by doing isometric exercises.
- Sleep
When you help your child during test preparation, make sure they get adequate sleep. They will be more productive the next day. A good eight hours of night sleep is a must, especially on a night before an exam.
- Food
To reduce stress, give your child lots of fruits, vegetables, water or even green tea. Try to give them healthy food options with regular breaks between meals.
Forget about processed food, as it can increase anxiety and stress.
Dont forget to start their day with a nutritious breakfast, like cereals with fruit.
Mostly, the best thing you can give your child is support. If you know that your child is a stressed little human being, then just be with them. Help them organize their time with studying, review the material, be encouraging and dont forget that saying good words can help calm them down.
Your child will find it very helpful that there is someone supportive next to them; this will reduce their level of anxiety.
If the above points do not work, and the situation gets to a point where it is difficult to talk to your child, you can even arrange counseling services for your child.